High School Courses for NIL Success

Becoming an entrepreneur is no longer just a post-college pursuit. It’s a mindset and student athletes are uniquely positioned to embrace it early. In today’s digital world, starting a business or building a brand doesn’t require a business degree or years in a corporate office. More and more young people are forging their own paths, creating personal brands, launching ventures, and tapping into opportunities like NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) before they even graduate high school. Age is no longer a barrier, rather what matters is initiative, creativity, and preparation. Please note that high school student athletes need to be aware of state laws and regulations regarding NIL, but you can begin preparing for college regardless.

If you're a student athlete with an entrepreneurial spirit, there's no need to wait for college to get started. High school offers the perfect opportunity to start building the mindset and skills you’ll need for success in both business and athletics.

With the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities now in full swing, student athletes can benefit from academic preparation that extends beyond the classroom. Success in NIL requires more than athletic talent—it demands communication skills, financial savvy, leadership, and a strong sense of personal brand. Here are key high school courses that can help student athletes get ahead (in no particular order or ranking).

Psychology

Learning how people think, feel, and behave can give student athletes a competitive edge in managing their mindset and connecting with others. Psychology supports emotional intelligence, performance under pressure, and effective communication—all essential for building a relatable and resilient personal brand. Whether it’s in sports or business, having a foundational understanding of psychology can benefit student athletes immensely.

Economics

Economics introduces student athletes to how markets function and how financial decisions are made on a larger scale. Understanding supply, demand, and value is a great first step in navigating sponsorships, negotiating deals, and understanding brand worth. In many states and/or private school settings, economics is a graduation requirement and I’ve worked with a large percentage of seniors who weren’t exactly thrilled about that (joking, but seriously). Enter the NIL era and the direct relevance of economics and I feel as though we can positively reframe student outlook on a much needed course for navigating life after high school. 

Personal Finance

This one’s a must. Personal finance equips student athletes with real-world knowledge like budgeting, saving, managing income, and filing taxes—especially important when NIL earnings come into play during college. In an increasingly noisier NIL market, it is critical for student athletes to possess a baseline understanding of personal finance from a financial literacy perspective while setting them up to better understand how to best navigate the opportunities available.

Leadership

On and off the field, student athletes are looked to as leaders. A leadership course strengthens their ability to influence others, make ethical decisions, and build confidence in representing themselves and their brand in high-stakes settings. While I was at Bishop Lynch High School, our student leadership course had a selective process in which not all interested students were able to ultimately attend. I would advise student athletes to pursue student government positions as well as leadership roles in clubs/organizations for our candidates with an interest but fell short in the selection process regarding the course.

Entrepreneurship

NIL opportunities essentially turn student athletes into entrepreneurs. This course helps them understand the basics of running a business, from identifying target audiences and creating a marketing plan to managing revenue and growth. If your high school doesn’t offer an entrepreneurship course, there are plenty of opportunities available online which are offered as pre-college programs where you can select one(s) that best fit your interests and needs.

Communications

Strong communication skills are key to NIL success. Whether in interviews, social media posts, or sponsorship meetings, the ability to express thoughts clearly and professionally helps student athletes stand out and maintain their brand identity. Message sharing is a huge part of the NIL landscape for student athletes seeking opportunities.

Public Speaking / Speech

From press conferences to content creation, student athletes need to speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Public speaking courses help reduce anxiety, improve articulation, and prepare athletes for engaging effectively in front of audiences both online and in person.

Digital Media / Marketing

NIL brands are built online. Courses in digital media or marketing teach student athletes how to create engaging content, understand social media algorithms, build a following, and market themselves authentically and strategically. To have a foundational understanding of digital media and marketing is critical for student athletes looking to succeed in the NIL landscape.

Theater

It may seem unconventional, but theater classes build confidence, presence, and self-awareness, which are all key traits when appearing in videos, interviews, or brand campaigns. Theater also helps athletes practice improvisation and storytelling, which are invaluable tools in today’s content-driven world. Personally, if your student athlete’s schedule allows for it, find a way to make it happen.

Ethics

Finally, a strong ethical foundation helps guide decisions around brand partnerships, public image, and social responsibility. Ethics courses support long-term credibility and alignment with values—something fans and sponsors alike deeply respect. An early foundational understanding of ethics can prove to be invaluable for student athletes if/when they might be presented with an opportunity that may jeopardize their brand. Good decision-making is critical in this landscape.

Final Thoughts

As a former director of college counseling, I could go all day with making the connection between high school courses and their benefit to preparing student athletes for NIL opportunities. If your student athlete is unable to enroll in a few of these courses before they complete high school, don’t hit the panic button–there are many ways in which they can prepare for the new era of college sports and we’re here to help your family with that. At POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting, we encourage our student athletes and their families to see high school as a time not only to compete but to prepare. By investing in the classroom now, student athletes can step into college empowered, informed, and ready to maximize every opportunity.

Want help building an academic plan that supports your student athlete’s goals? Reach out to our team—we’re here to guide every step of the way.